Mrs. Kristin Smith

School Counselor A-F

270-4122 / ksmith@sjci.com

Mr. Mike Thoin

School Counselor G-M

270-4121 / jlewis@gmail.com

Mrs. Julianne Lewis

Counseling Department Chair

School Counselor N-Z

270-4120 / jlewis@gmail.com

Mr. Canaan Clark

Director of College Counseling

270-4123 / cclark@gmail.com

Ms. Rachel Zimmer

School Social Worker

Ext. 4154 / rzimmer@sjci.com

Most students will use the common application, you also have the SUNY application, the individual college/universities website, and the coalition application. Not all students are using the Common Application. We are sure to discuss the best method of application with each student during individual appointments.

Virtually all applications are completed online. If your son receives a paper application and wishes to use it. He is welcome to bring it in and we will happily help include his transcript, recommendations, and mail it for him.

Early Decision: Typically a binding agreement between the student and college. This application is due at an earlier date (ie: November 1st, December 1st). This decision assures the student will be notified on acceptance status earlier than regular decision.

Important: If a student is accepted, he will need to withdraw his applications from other colleges. Drawback: You don’t always have your financial aid package when you are accepted, so you do not know how much aid you will get from the school.

Early Action: A non-binding agreement that affords students the opportunity to get a decision earlier, if they apply earlier.

Restricted Early Action: Restrictive Early Action programs vary, but they generally give students the opportunity to learn of their admission status early in their senior year of high school without binding them to the college or university. Some REA programs only allow students to apply early to only one school. Some allow applications to other Early Action schools but not to Early Decision. All REA programs allow students to apply regular admission or rolling admission to other institutions and give them until May 1st to decide where they will attend.

Rolling Admissions: Schools read applications as they receive them and send acceptance letters at that time. This usually begins mid-October, early November for most schools, however please note rolling admissions dates are different at each school.

Website: www.commonapp.org

As of 2019: 897 member institutions subscribed, 404 have zero application fee, 50 states in the U.S., 63 international institutions in 19 countries outside the U.S.

Students are required to complete supplemental forms, and “invite” Mr. Clark and teachers to complete their recommendations online.

Students have the ability to monitor when recommendations and transcripts have been uploaded. This assures the student is aware of any missing documents. From there the student should see his counselor and teachers regarding this.

Students do not need to wait for school documents to be uploaded in order to submit their applications.

Students were given the opportunity to start the common app in Spring 2019 during their Religion classes.

Common App workshops were held in August. We are currently offering four sessions this month before and after school. We encourage students to see us during free periods to ask any common app questions.

Sections Include:

Account Creation

Student Profile

Family – Students need parent help with this section (supplying parental college and employment information)

Education

Testing

Activities

Writing

Self-reported grades – This is only required by 20 colleges and students will be prompted to fill out this section if required.

Adding Colleges: Each College/University needs to be added individually along with any and all supplemental documents and items required for each.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Website: www.suny.edu

64 Colleges all across New York State.

$50 fee per campus that you apply to.

Several schools can be completed on one application.

From there the student completes supplements on the suny.edu website.

Most SUNY schools also accept The Common Application.

If your son is applying to ECC or NCCC, do not use the SUNY application. Instead, apply directly on their respective websites as it is free. Those websites are www.ecc.edu or www.niagaracc.suny.edu.

Website: www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

Comprised of a diverse group of more than 150 distinguished colleges & universities, founded in 2015.

MyCoalition: is a set of free, online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college. In addition to its convenient digital storage Locker, interactive Collaboration Space, and easy-to-use application, MyCoalition also provides informative articles and other valuable resources for college preparation.

Students fill out application and counselors will upload supporting documents such as transcript and recommendations

Please remind your son that it is his responsibility to check the due dates for his applications.

ALL Institutions post a specific date in which applications and all supporting documentation (transcripts, recommendations) are due.

Most popular deadline dates: January 1st, February 1st, and February 15th.

Any applications that are due to a college by November 1st need to be to us by October 25th

Any applications due November 15th are due to us by November 8th.

Any applications with a January 1, 2019 deadline are “due” to Mr. Clark by Thanksgiving Break (November 20th)

Upload Counselor Recommendation and School Report

Upload Transcript

Upload First Quarter Senior grades (if requested by student ). First Quarter report cards are normally distributed during the second week of November.

Responsible for contacting the admissions offices of the schools they are applying to, for specific instructions on submitting portfolios or audition information if planning on majoring in art or music.

Even if a student is planning to attend college out of town. Our department philosophy is that they still should submit an application to one of the local colleges. We always hope each student matriculates to the number one school of their choice. However there can always be unforeseen circumstances, therefore it is extremely important to have a back up plan.

When your son begins receiving acceptance letters and scholarship awards. We need your help in please asking them to bring those letters to the Counseling Office ASAP. We keep track acceptances and scholarships for the graduation program.

Student must request teachers.

Student must provide each teacher with Recommendation Request Form.

The Request Form can be found in our offices & Naviance.

Students should choose teachers who know them well and can write a positive recommendation.

Teacher Recommendations normally come from Junior and Senior year teachers.

Students may also ask for recommendations from coaches, internship supervisors, etc. However these are in addition to the required teacher & counselor letters. Some colleges accept “other” recommenders, and some do not.

Students have been tasked with updating & completing their résumés in their Naviance for last three years.

It’s also fine to use another résumé format if they have one done from the internship program or other job experiences.

We have another résumé in the document resources section of Naviance for any student who needs an alternate format.

Students were instructed to have résumés completed by early October to distribute to teachers who are writing recommendations for them.

Some colleges require students to interview with an admissions staff member or an alumnus.

If the college is a close distance from home (within a couple hours) the student should make every effort to get to the campus.

Some campuses allow skype or other webex type of interviews.

We do allow alumni interviews to take place on our campus, though some may request to meet students at the library, starbucks, etc.

We will happily help students with practice interviews if they ask.

A students essay is their major opportunity to talk about aspects of their personality, accomplishments, and etc. not on their application.

These were completed junior year in their English classes.

Mr. Hoerner offered individual appointments this summer, and is still available to work with interested students.

We are also willing to read or help with the development of their essay.

Best practice for proof reading the college essay is to have the student choose one editor and stick with that person so the essay has a solid “flow”.

www.collegeboard.org

SJCI school/CEEB code 331095

All students who have taken the SAT, should have done so by spring of their junior year, or Sept-December of this year.

Most students take a standardized test twice.

SAT II or Subject Tests: Required by some colleges.

SAT reasoning test is $49.50; SAT with Essay is $64.50 and SAT Subject Test is $26 for initial registration fee, and then $22 per test (most schools requiring subject tests like to see two tests). This fee includes sending scores up to four colleges/universities.

Please check individual college requirements carefully. Students need to be sure they have taken or are signed up to take required tests. Additionally, more schools are requiring that the scores come directly from the testing agency, this should be double checked.

If you do not want your son’s SAT or ACT score on his transcript we need a note or email from you stating that you would like us to remove his scores from his transcript.

www.act.org

ACT is an alternative to the SAT.

The main difference is that there is a science section. There is a conversion chart available to compare your ACT score to an SAT.

ACT without the Writing Section is fine for colleges that do not require it for admission.

If your son takes the ACT with Writing, it is comparable to taking an SAT Subject Test.

The cost of the ACT is $52.00 and ACT with Writing is $68 (this includes sending scores up to four colleges/universities.

Test Optional means that a student is not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Many colleges will advise a student to submit scores if his scores fall into their average or above average range.

If students do not have an SAT or ACT test score, they might be required to write an additional essay.

Common App schools will have a supplement asking students whether or not they want their scores used if they are on the transcript.

Students should consult with the counselors about applying test optional.

Be sure you read the fine print. Some colleges may not offer scholarships to a student who does not submit their SAT or ACT scores.

AP scores are not automatically placed on the transcript

If a student would like his AP scores from sophomore or junior year on his transcript. The AP Score Release form needs to be signed and handed back to our office.

That form can be located in Naviance, or available from any counselor or Mrs. Manna in our offices.

SJCI College Visit Policy: Each senior is allowed four (4) days for college visits that will not count against his attendance.

Two dates are October 15th and 16th, 2019.

The other two days are of your choosing. However, you must notify your counselor and Mr. Folts at least one day in advance.

A parent note indicating the date(s) you will be absent, and what school(s) you will be visiting, must be approved and signed by your counselor, then submitted to Mr. Folts.

If you fail to follow this procedure, you will be marked absent and this absence will be reflected on your permanent record.

Students are responsible for any work they will miss on those days, as well as to inform their teachers they will be out. Students are free to see their counselor for any further clarification on this policy.

Numerous colleges and universities will visit our office throughout the fall. Please encourage your son to listen to the announcements and check the college visit list on Naviance and in his email to find out the dates and times that a particular school may be at St. Joe’s.

It is important that a student sign up in advance on Naviance. If a student does not have a free period when a representative is visiting, he can still attend if he has his teacher’s permission to miss class.

Many College Admission Reps. indicate that these face to face encounters are helpful when they are reviewing applications.

These visits are for students only.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov

Government website for filing for free federal aid. Filing online is the preferred method, and is convenient as you are able to save information for subsequent children. If you prefer a paper application, you need to go to the website and order one. The government no longer supplies us with those.

Information: Comes from your “Prior-Prior” tax information.

Filing date: October 1, 2019 and thereafter.

SUNY Campuses will host Financial Aid Days throughout November. Dates are not yet posted, visit www.suny.edu/studentevents for more information.

Net Price Calculator: Available on each school’s financial aid webpage. This should give you a general idea of expected family contribution.

www.collegeboard.org – Search CSS Profile

This service helps institutions award financial aid to the students who need it most. It is used to provide a complete picture of a families finances. It is used by nearly 400 colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools.

The CSS is required by certain colleges in addition to filing a FAFSA. A school should inform you, if you are required to fill this form out. Cost to register is $25. It is available beginning on October 1st. A complete listing of participating institutions is available on the college board website.

www.hesc.ny.gov

New York State’s website higher education student financial aid agency. You can find info on (TAP) Tuition Assistance Program, how to pay, how to repay, scholarship and loan forgiveness, financial aid outreach.

Information on the NYS Excelsior Scholarship can also be found here.

Scholarships sent to us are also posted in Naviance. Students can search a list of scholarships posted by our office, as well as a national database. We typically begin to receive more scholarship postings in the winter and early spring.

Majority of merit based aid comes from the college itself in the application review process.

All students have a Naviance Account.

Provides the ability to search in-depth, colleges, college information, virtual tours, personality assessments, career assessments, additional assessments, in-depth careers, career information, resumes’, and so much more.

Seniors will use to sign up for the college visits in the Counseling Center.

Seniors will use to request transcripts to be sent to Non-Common App or Non-SUNY Schools.

If your son intends to play Division I or Division II athletics in college, and has not yet registered with the NCAA eligibility center. He should do so ASAP, he should visit www.eligibilitycenter.org and create an account.

The cost is $90 to register with the NCAA.

Applying to college is not a “one size fits all” endeavor, so please feel free to contact us at any time throughout this process with individual questions or concerns.

This presentation will be posted to the counseling page of sjci.com under forms and links.